Greetings!
You know the saying "Nothing is constant but change"? Well, the change has been abundant, but it's not true that nothing else is constant. The never ending love of God is constant! His grace and provision amidst the chaos is constant! Where would we be without the stability of His presence?
This last month has been nothing short of tumultuous. Sort of like being in the clothes dryer on a long cycle. What had become "normal" was suddenly gone and everything seemed strangely unfamiliar.
It all happened on November 1st. It was moving day. We had been looking for a house closer to the women's shelter. God provided...more than expected and closer than expected. Only 8 houses down from the shelter we found a house for rent. The day before, we had received a call from little Alexandra's parents that they were in town and wanted to take the baby. I wish I could say that my (Stephanie's) heart was full of peace and I knew God was taking care of everything. I wish I could report that I was all "spiritual", but that was not the case. Fear struck my heart, and my mind was scrambling for recourse. How could we stop this injustice? How can the government willingly give a baby into the care of a mentally retarded mother?
At 7:30 in the morning on moving day, Alexandra's parents were at our gate, the father insisting that he was going to call the police if we did not comply with his demand to let them in. They wanted the baby! We refused, and after some time they left. Later that morning, we received a call from social services telling us to give them the baby. There was nothing we could do. We had to place this precious child in the hands of an unfit mother and a father she did not even know. They got on a bus and were gone. Sadness filled my heart like I hadn't known in many years. I knew I would miss her after 8 months of being together, but even worse was the torturous thoughts of how she might feel or what she would experience. My heart was broken. It still is.
We talk to Patronela, Alexandra's mother, every week. She says Alexandra is doing fine. We pray for God to tend to the seeds that were sown in her little heart and bring forth a great harvest. She is a special child with great potential. Only God will be able to provide for her needs, as her parents are incapable in so many ways. Your continued prayers for this situation are coveted! God is able to accomplish exactly what He has in His heart for this child, as well as for her parents.
Things have not gone exactly as planned at the women's shelter. We expected a flood of requests, but this did not happen. So often, our expectations are different than our experience. The house is rented and God has provided for everything we need. So what is the holdup? We don't know, but we do know that God has a plan. We certainly want God to send the women that He wants there, not just anyone in need. So, we will continue to pray and trust. His plan is perfect!
More and more God is showing us His plan for Love Through Me. It is increasingly clear that our purpose is to support and encourage indigenous ministers and ministries in their initial phase of formation, or possibly in times of transition. God is opening doors for this type of ministry in South Asia, as well as Romania. We look forward to new opportunities as God refines our vision and teaches us to stay on target.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and encouragement. Sometimes a note from friends is what is needed to bring a smile to our faces and hope to our hearts. We will both be in Texas from Dec 17- Jan 8. That brings a smile to our faces, too! We pray for you and ask you to continue to pray for us.
Going for Him,
Stephanie and Leslie
Love Through Me International Ministries
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